We use cookies to customise content for your subscription and for analytics.If you continue to browse Lexology, we will assume that you are happy to receive all our cookies. For further information please read our Cookie Policy.

On 3 November, the WTO announced that at a meeting of the WTO’s Committee on Trade Facilitation, members for the first time engaged in substantive discussions on ongoing efforts to implement the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), which formally entered into force last February. The announcement said:

Since February, the committee has received 21 notifications from members regarding so-called Category A, B and C notifications. Category A covers TFA commitments developing members promised to implement upon entry into force of the TFA; Category B covers commitments that a developing or least-developed country (LDC) member will implement after a transitional period following the entry into force of the agreement; and Category C covers commitments that a developing or LDC member will implement after a transitional period following the entry into force of the Agreement and that require technical assistance and capacity-building support to implement.

Developed countries were required to implement all provisions of the TFA from the date of entry into force

In addition, the committee has now received 11 notifications from members which the chair described as having “transparency” objectives, either in a broader context or in relation to particular provisions of the TFA, such as single window operations, the use of customs brokers, and customs cooperation.

Finally, the committee has received seven notifications from donor members since February under Article 22 of the TFA which provide information on assistance and support for capacity building that will be made available to members requiring such assistance.

Related topic hubs

Compare jurisdictions: Patents

“The new ACC Newsstand is one of the best e-resources that I have encountered in 21 years of practicing Employment Law. The information is timely, helpful and easy to navigate. Thank you for offering it and please continue it indefinitely!!”